Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has demanded N5 billion in damages from actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory remarks made during a television interview.
In a letter dated June 9, 2026, Obi’s lawyer, Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), accused Okonkwo of making what he described as “false, malicious and defamatory” statements during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on June 8.
According to the legal letter, Okonkwo allegedly claimed that Obi and South-East leaders of the NDC demanded a N10 million payment from aspirants seeking House of Representatives tickets after paying official expression of interest fees.
He was also said to have alleged the existence of documentary proof, including receipts.
The letter further stated that Okonkwo accused Obi of compiling the party’s candidate list from a hotel room, warning aspirants that Obi would “scam” them, and alleging that the former governor travelled abroad to collect money from individuals.
He also reportedly linked Obi and other party leaders in the South-East to criminal conduct.
Obi’s legal team described the comments as “false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact.”
“The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, and by necessary implication, falsely and maliciously represent our Client as a person who demands, solicits, organises and collects bribes; who extorts, defrauds and swindles political aspirants of their money; who is a fraudster, a scammer and a dishonest political actor; and who, in concert with others, is engaged in criminal conspiracy and is actively perpetuating criminality,” the letter stated.
The lawyers argued that the remarks went beyond political criticism and had caused reputational harm to Obi, insisting that they amounted to an attack on his integrity and public image.
“Your words were not mere political commentary.
”They crossed the permissible bounds of fair comment and constituted a direct assault on our Client’s person, integrity, image and reputation,” the letter added.
As part of the demands, Obi is seeking a full withdrawal of the statements within seven days, a public apology, and publication of the apology on the same platforms where the comments were made, including television and social media.
He is also demanding N5 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages, along with a written undertaking that no further defamatory remarks would be made against him.
The letter warned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe would leave Obi with no option but to initiate legal proceedings seeking damages, injunctions, retractions, and costs of litigation.
